Would you like to go to see live theater this weekend, but have a limited budget? Here’s an idea: Go see the Divine Savior Holy Angels production of “The Wiz”! It’s family fun that’s truly affordable!

DSHA High School is presenting the Tony Award winning musical, The Wiz November 6 through 9^th in the Robert and Marie Hansen Family Fine Arts Theatre located at 4257 North 100^th Street, Milwaukee. 

Travel alongside Dorothy and her infamous friends as they “Ease on Down” the yellow brick road in search of brains, a heart, some courage and a way home.  It’s the infamous tale of tornados, witches, flying monkeys, and a journey toward the Emerald City, but be ready for a few surprises along the way.  This high energy show (featuring several Tosa students) is packed with new twists around every turn.  Get swept away to a land that will have your toes tapping, your sides splitting, and will leave you dancing down the aisles. 

Tickets are only $10 for adults and $8 dollars for children under 12. The DSHA Box Office is open Wednesday, 3pm – 6pm, Thursday, 3-5 pm and you can buy tickets at the door. The Box Office is located through the front entrance of DSHA High School or by calling (414) 616-2813.  You may also order tickets online by visiting the school website at www.dsha.info . (Click on “Shop DSHA.”) 

Performances begin at 7pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2pm for the Sunday matinee.  Don’t miss out on an experience the whole family will enjoy!

There’s a brief but interesting discussion on the Tosa Town Square about watching fireworks on TV. This is something that fascinates me, for no good reason except that I have a strong opinion on the topic.

Here’s the thing: I love fireworks. I love TV. (Sad, but true.) So, you would think that combining two of my favorite things would make a new thing that I would like even better. Not so much.

I believe that fireworks should never be shown on TV. Never. They just don’t work. To me, fireworks on TV seem like a great idea. You don’t have to battle crowds, look for a spot to sit, or soak yourself in bug spray.* You can sit in your comfy, perhaps air-conditioned, house and enjoy the show.

The thing is, there’s nothing less-fulfilling than watching fireworks on TV. Except perhaps watching taped Olympics coverage when you know the results. (Don’t worry. I’ll get on that soapbox later in the summer.) I have no interest in what Mike and Carol think about the fireworks. Zero. In fact, they annoy me to no end.

To truly enjoy a fireworks show, you have to earn it. You have to search for parking. You have to lug and carry stuff until you’re sweating. You have to try to get comfortable. And then, hardest of all, you have to wait. And if you have young children, you have to listen to the endless questions and whiny cries: “What time is it?” “When will they start?” “I’m bored!” “I have to go to the bathroom.”

But when the fireworks start…when you feel that first gigantic percussion resonate in your chest…it’s so worthwhile.

And I agree with the citizens on the Town Square. Skip the music, unless by music you mean the chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs” that you can’t avoid joining in on.

While I have your ear, let’s talk a little fireworks etiquette:

(1) Leave Fido at home. I’ve seen far too many cowering, trembling pooches at the Tosa fireworks every year. The dogs do not look happy and their owners are clearly not enjoying themselves.

(2) Leave the sparklers at home. Sparklers in your backyard – good idea. Sparklers in a giant crowd of people – very bad idea.

(3) Unless you’re joining in the Oohs and Ahhs Chorus, please don’t talk over my fireworks. It’s only about 30 minutes. Feel free to chat before or after. Definitely not during.

(4) Wait to leave or be nice. The crowds are going to be HUGE. You may as well take your time leaving or accept that it will take you a while. Honking or getting irritated adds nothing to the equation.

Here’s wishing everyone a Happy and SAFE 4^th of July! See you at the fireworks!

*In my last post, I talked about the shortage of bug spray at local stores. A visit yesterday to the Walgreens at Hwy 100 and North Ave. proved me totally wrong. They had lots of bug spray. Just in time for the fireworks!

So...I know this college kid from Tosa. And he’s doing a project this summer. No, he’s not painting the house or fixing a car. He’s creating a musical.

That’s right. I said a musical. And to do it, he’s writing and recording one song a day for 40 days. He wants you to come along on this tuneful journey. Bookmark his website and get a front row seat to this local creation. You can comment or maybe even give him some ideas. I’m in…are you?

OK, full disclosure. I know this kid really well. I still think it’s worth checking in on his progress. It could be fun…..

Millie (see above) and I took a walk on this splendid, picture-perfect, day. She had a lot on her mind. Here are some things that she was wondering:

Millie wonders why some dogs walk their owners versus the other way around. How can that be fun with all the pulling and choking going on?

Millie wonders why the bike path/walking path for Menomonee River Parkway begins at the Harmonee Bridge and ends prior to Swan Boulevard. Did they think that people would be too tired to continue?

Millie wonders why some people bike, run or walk on the left side of the path.

Millie wonders why parking is allowed on both sides of the parkway when soccer games are being played. It seems so dangerous with so many kids running in between cars and across the road and people getting in their cars with little regard for traffic.

Millie wonders why I wouldn’t let her consume the old breadstick that she found on the sidewalk.

Millie wonders why drivers in Tosa interpret stop signs as “slow down” signs and roll through intersections.

Millie wonders if the street repairs at the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Wauwatosa Avenue will ever be finished.

Millie wonders why the Root Commons Park (area in front of Drews) is called the Root Commons Park.

Millie wonders if any Tosa mayoral candidates have a chance against joeythelovesponge.

Millie wonders if we realize how lucky we are to have Ray’s here in Tosa with its amazing wine selection and knowledgeable staff.

Millie wonders if that store near 92^nd and North is really called Wallpaper Wallpaper.

Millie wonders if the Times Cinema will ever invest in slightly more comfortable seating to match the great films and great ownership.

Millie wonders if The Firefly will ever expand its menu and if it will ever be open for lunch.

Millie wonders if and when the new recycling program will start in Tosa and if many of us will get stuck with extra blue bags when it does.

Millie wonders why we all can’t just have trick or treat on Halloween (a.k.a. October 31st) from now on.